Depression is a serious mental illness that affects more than 200 million people worldwide.
Depression has become one of the most serious mental illnesses of the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization, about 270 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which is equivalent to 3.8% of the global population. More worryingly, there is a clear upward trend in the incidence of depression.
Depression is different from occasional low mood in that it is a condition that requires clinical diagnosis and treatment. People with depression are chronically depressed, hopeless, and lose pleasure, enthusiasm, and vitality, accompanied by abnormal sleep and appetite, and cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms can seriously affect the patient's work, life, and relationships, and increase the risk of suicide.
The pathogenesis of depression is complex and related to many aspects such as genetic factors, brain structure, and neurotransmitters. Recent studies have shown an association between depression and human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6). The virus invades the central nervous system and replicates in large numbers in the hippocampus of the brain, causing nerve cell damage and activating a neuroinflammatory response. This may be an important pathogenic mechanism of depression.
Depression can occur at any age, but is prevalent in adolescents and older adults. Incidence varies by country and region. Rates of depression are higher in developed countries, such as in the United States, where about 19% of adults experience at least one major depressive episode. France has the highest incidence of depression among European countries, with 1 in 5 French adults having had depression at least once in their lifetime. In contrast, Japan has a low incidence of depression at only 7%. East Asian regions such as China also have lower rates of depression. However, with the increase of social pressure, the prevalence of depression in China is also growing rapidly.
Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men, with more than double the incidence of depression. The reasons for this difference are mainly related to physiological factors such as estrogen levels and differences in stress system responses. In addition, women are also more likely to experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after childbirth. About 10% to 15% of women of childbearing age will experience significant symptoms of depression during pregnancy or after childbirth, which is known as postpartum depression. Newborn care stress and hormonal changes are the main triggers.
Depression places a heavy burden on individuals, families, and society as a whole. It not only seriously affects the patient's work and life, but also increases the risk of suicide. Depression has a suicide rate of up to 15%, the highest of any mental illness. Therefore, paying attention to the prevention and treatment of depression, raising public awareness of this disease, and caring for people around you who may be sick are all important measures to prevent and treat depression.
France has the highest rate of depression, with 1 in 5 people suffering from it once in a lifetime.
France has the highest incidence of depression of any developed country. According to the epidemiological survey of the French National Center for Mental Health Research, the lifetime prevalence of depression in French adults is as high as 21%. That is, 1 in 5 adults in France has suffered from clinical depression at least once in their lifetime.
The reasons for the high incidence of depression in France are worth paying attention to. On the one hand, the climatic conditions in France may be an influencing factor. Most of France has a temperate maritime climate, with short hours of sunshine and rainy weather, which can affect the mood of some people. On the other hand, the diet of the French is also associated with an increased incidence of depression. The French like to drink red wine, but excessive alcohol consumption can affect neurotransmitter balance; In addition, French cuisine values sauces and has a high salt content, which may also lead to an increased incidence of depression.
However, the most critical factor influencing the incidence of depression in France is the work pressure and pace of life in French society. The French have longer working hours, generally more than 35 hours per week. Long hours and intense work leave many French people physically and mentally exhausted. In addition, France is one of the fastest-paced countries in Europe. The French love to socialize and live at night, and often stay up late to lack sleep. These can trigger depression.
In response to the high incidence of depression in France, the French government has taken some positive measures. For example, shortening working hours and encouraging companies to implement flexible working systems; Establish a mental health counseling hotline to provide psychological support; Strengthen the attention to pregnant women, carry out postpartum depression screening, etc. These measures will play an important role in reducing the incidence of depression in France. Of course, changing the social climate and promoting an active lifestyle is also a long-term and effective countermeasure.
The main symptoms of depression are: depression, loss of interest in things, weight changes, sleep disturbances, sluggishness, exhaustion, self-blame, decreased thinking, etc.
The symptoms of depression are complex and diverse, including depressed mood, cognitive difficulties, behavioral changes, and physical symptoms. The following are the main clinical manifestations of depression:
1. Affective depression: This is the core symptom of depression, which is manifested by a persistent low and sad mood. People with depression often cry for no reason, lose interest and motivation in life, and think that life is meaningless. People with major depressive disorder may be in a state of extreme sadness throughout the day and lose control of their emotions.
2. Loss of interest activities: People with depression will lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, such as reading, exercising, socializing, etc. They no longer get the pleasure of these activities and lose motivation for life. Statistics show that more than 50% of patients with depression experience a significant loss of interest activities.
3. Weight changes: About 15% of people with depression experience significant weight changes. Most of them have a loss of appetite and a decrease in food intake, resulting in a sudden weight loss. Some patients also experience the reverse effect, showing loss of appetite and weight gain.
4. Sleep disorders: More than 90% of patients with depression have varying degrees of sleep problems, mainly manifested as insomnia, early awakening, and dreaming. Some patients may also have a special condition in which they are sleepy during the day and have difficulty falling asleep at night.
5. Psychomotor retardation: Patients with moderate and severe depressive disorder have a significant slowdown in thinking and speech and slow response. In addition, body movements become sluggish, gait is faltering, and coordination is reduced.
6. Long-term fatigue: Patients with depression will feel a persistent and intense feeling of fatigue and fatigue, and the symptoms will not improve even after adequate rest, which will seriously affect life and work.
7. Self-blame and low self-esteem: Most people with depression feel guilty, think they are worthless, and are full of resentment towards themselves. Patients with severe disease may present with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
8. Decreased attention and thinking: In depression, patients have difficulty concentrating, slow thinking, decreased memory, and reduced learning and work efficiency.
Taken together, these emotional, cognitive, and physiological symptoms are intertwined, severely impairing the quality of life of people with depression, and the consequences can be very serious if left untreated.
People with depression are prone to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Depression is associated with a very high risk of suicide. Statistics show that the proportion of people with depression who have self-harm or suicidal thoughts and behaviors is extremely high.
Specifically, about 30%~40% of patients with depression have suicidal thoughts, and 10%~15% of patients have suicide plans or attempts. This means that about 15% of all people with depression have suicidal thoughts, and 10% have a plan or action to commit suicide. More worryingly, about two-thirds of people with depression who successfully commit suicide do not receive any psychotherapy or pharmacological intervention.
Suicidal thoughts are more common in people with major depressive disorder. These patients are in extreme negative emotions all day long, believing that life is meaningless, despair of the future and unable to seek help from others, and suicide becomes their only way out. Studies have shown that patients with depression who have suicidal thoughts have abnormal hippocampal and anterior cingulate function. This may be related to their negative emotions and suicidal tendencies.
In addition to suicide, people with depression are also more likely to have thoughts and behaviors of self-harm. About 30%~40% of patients with depression have varying degrees of self-harm experience. Self-injurious behaviors include cutting, burning, disfiguring, etc., and these behaviors can temporarily alleviate their psychological pain. But long-term self-harm can lead to serious physical injury and even death.
In conclusion, the presence of suicidal and self-harming thoughts indicates that depression has progressed to a rather dangerous stage. This requires high priority and timely and effective interventions, including medication, psychological counselling and family support. Only in this way can the risk of suicide in people with depression be minimized and precious lives saved.
Depression has little to do with genetics, and the acquired environment has a greater impact.
There has long been debate about whether depression is more due to genetic influences or acquired environmental influences. With the deepening of research, more and more evidence shows that depression has little to do with heredity, and is mainly caused by acquired environment.
Specifically, the heritability rate of depression is about 40%. This means that only 40% of the risk of developing depression may be due to genetic factors, which is much lower than the heritability of other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (80%) and bipolar disorder (80%). Therefore, genetic factors are not a major risk factor for depression.
More research supports the relationship between depression and the acquired environment. According to the World Health Organization, negative life events are an important predisposing factor for depression. Experiencing serious negative life events such as the death of a close friend, a serious illness of a loved one, and unemployment significantly increases the probability of a depressive episode in the next 6 months. In addition, childhood abuse is associated with an increased risk of depression later in life.
Some environmental conditions can also influence the occurrence of depression. For example, in areas with cold climates and short sunshine hours, residents are more likely to suffer from depression. This may be related to vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight. In addition, countries with a fast pace of life, such as France, also have higher rates of depression among their residents. Overwork leads to increased stress, which is also an important factor.
Overall, depression is not as closely related to genetics as it might seem. Instead, acquired influences such as negative life events and environmental conditions play a greater role. This provides important implications for the prevention and treatment of depression, that is, more attention should be paid to optimizing the acquired environment to reduce the risk of depression.
Japanese scholars recently discovered that depression is linked to human herpesvirus 6.
A recent study by Japanese scholars has found that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is associated with the development of depression. This finding may reveal an important link in the pathogenesis of depression and has great significance for the prevention and treatment of depression.
HHV-6 is a neuroherpetic virus that invades the central nervous system and causes mainly herpetic lesions. Professor Kondo's team at the Jikaikai Medical University in Tokyo, Japan, found that the copy number of the HHV-6 virus in patients with depression was significantly increased, while the virus was rarely detected in the healthy control group. This suggests that HHV-6 virus infection may be associated with the development of depression.
Researchers speculate that the HHV-6 virus can multiply in large numbers when the body's immunity is weakened, invade the olfactory bulb tissue, and then affect mood-related brain regions and induce depression. This provides a new perspective on the pathogenesis of depression.
Statistics show that about 80% of the population has the HHV-6 virus in their bodies, but most of the virus is latent. Only when the immune function is weakened, such as when the body has a serious infection, autoimmune disease, or tumor, does the HHV-6 virus activate and replicate in large quantities, affecting the body.
If further studies confirm that the HHV-6 virus is a trigger for depression, then prophylactic vaccination against the virus will reduce the incidence of depression. At the same time, antiviral drugs may also be tried to treat depression. In conclusion, the association of the HHV-6 virus with depression brings new hope for future prevention and treatment.
The virus multiplies when a person's immunity is weakened, attacking the brain and causing depression.
The Japanese research team found that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is an important pathogen that triggers depression. It is able to activate and multiply in large numbers when the body's immune function is weakened, which in turn leads to depression.
HHV-6 is a virus that is widespread in the human population and is detectable in more than 80% of adults. But most of the time, it is dormant and does not cause symptoms. Once the human body has a weakened immune system, such as high work pressure, physical fatigue due to lack of sleep, or suffering from diabetes, AIDS and other diseases, HHV-6 will be activated and rapidly proliferate and spread.
HHV-6 can be transmitted through the bloodstream and invade the central nervous system. It gathers in large numbers in the hippocampus, which is the emotional center of the brain. Viral infection and replication destroy neurons, release inflammatory transmitters, and cause abnormal neural network connections. This directly affects the areas of the brain that regulate mood, resulting in biochemical changes associated with depression. Eventually, patients develop typical depressive symptoms.
If follow-up studies further confirm this finding, then preventing HHV-6 virus infection or inhibiting its activation will become a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of depression. For example, HHV-6 virus testing can be performed in advance when the body's immunity is weakened, and antiviral therapy can be given once it is elevated; or through vaccination to improve the body's immunity to the HHV-6 virus and reduce the possibility of infection. This brings new hope for the prevention and treatment of depression in the future.
Women suffer from depression at twice times the rate of men.
A large number of epidemiological data show that the proportion of women suffering from depression is significantly higher than that of men, with a difference of about 2 times. Such gender differences exist in almost all ethnic and cultural contexts.
Specifically, the vast majority of surveys show that the lifetime prevalence of depression in women is about 20%~25%, while that in men it is 10%~12%. A survey of 85,000 people in 17 countries also showed that the prevalence in women was about 1.5-3 times that of men. This difference is especially pronounced in women who have undergone childbearing.
The main reasons for this difference are as follows:
1) Female estrogen levels fluctuate greatly, and secretion disorders are more likely to occur, which is the physiological basis of depression;
2) Women face more pressures, such as the double burden of work and family, and the pressure of childbirth;
3) women were more sensitive to negative life events, such as more sensitive responses to relationship problems;
4) Women are more likely to be introverted and are not good at expressing negative emotions.
In addition, some studies have also found differences in the activation patterns of the anterior cingulate gyrus and amygdala regions of the brain in women compared to men in response to negative emotions, which may also contribute to the fact that women are more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
In summary, the combination of biological, psychological, and social factors has led to the phenomenon that women suffer from depression more than twice as much as men. This suggests that we need to pay more attention to the prevention and treatment of depression in women.
Prenatal and postnatal times are the times when women are most susceptible to depression.
Prenatal and postnatal times are the two important periods when women are most susceptible to depression, and the incidence of depression increases significantly. This is associated with a great deal of physical and psychological stress during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Statistics show that 10%~15% of pregnant women will have depressive symptoms during pregnancy, and the risk of depression is 2~3 times that of the general population. Severe pain during childbirth and drastic fluctuations in hormone levels after childbirth are the main causes. More typical is postpartum depression, with an incidence of about 10%~15%. More than half of women will have an acute depressive reaction within 1 week after delivery, and about 15% of women will develop depression within 1 month after delivery.
Postpartum depression is mainly related to sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, parenting stress, and other factors. Newborns are fed every few hours, severely disrupting the mother's sleep rhythm. Sudden dips in estrogen and progesterone also affect mood. The stress of caring for a newborn can also induce depression if there is a lack of family support.
As antenatal and postnatal depression can have a negative impact on both mother and baby, it is recommended that pregnant women pay attention to their own emotional changes and that their families need to be more understanding and supportive. If you have depressive symptoms, you should seek medical attention in time, receive psychological counseling or medication, which can not only ensure the mother's mental health, but also promote the normal growth of the baby.
People who are seriously ill are also more likely to develop depression.
Severe illness is an important risk factor for depression. Numerous medical studies have shown that patients with various serious illnesses are more likely to develop depression than healthy people. This is related to the disease itself and the increased physical and mental burden due to complications.
Taking diabetes as an example, the incidence of depression in diabetic patients is significantly increased, which can reach 20%~30%, which is 2~3 times that of the normal population. Nearly 30% of heart disease patients who undergo arterial bypass surgery also have major depression. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke also have a significantly increased risk of developing depression.
Depression is more common in cancer patients, which can exceed 40%. The incidence of depression in advanced cancer is as high as 75%. The causes of high incidence of depression in cancer patients include physical pain, side effects of treatment, financial pressure, fear of death, etc. In recent years, the incidence of depression in patients with lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gastric cancer has increased significantly.
People living with HIV/AIDS are also highly susceptible to comorbid depression. The analysis showed that the incidence of major depression and mixed anxiety and depression disorder in HIV patients was 37.6%, and the incidence of mixed anxiety and depression disorder was 31.4%. This is associated with factors such as weakened immunity, wasting, and social discrimination due to HIV infection.
In short, for patients with severe illness, attention should be paid to the assessment and prevention of depressive symptoms. Timely psychological intervention and drug treatment can not only improve the quality of life of patients, but also significantly improve prognosis and prolong survival. This should be an important part of the comprehensive management of severe illness.
Living in cold and low-light areas is also more likely to suffer from depression.
After years of research, scientists have found that people living in cold areas with short light hours have a significantly higher incidence of depression in the population. This is mainly related to vitamin D deficiency due to the above-mentioned climatic conditions.
According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of major depression in countries such as Canada, Finland, Iceland, and Norway in the northern hemisphere is more than 1 times higher than the global average. In contrast, sunny regions such as Hawaii and Singapore have lower rates of depression.
In the cold season, due to the reduction of time outside and insufficient sunlight exposure, the amount of vitamin D synthesis in the body decreases significantly. Long-term vitamin D insufficiency leads to decreased levels of serotonin in the brain, which is an important biochemical basis for depression. Vitamin D supplementation has also been found to significantly reduce depression.
In addition, cold weather itself can also affect a person's mood. Some studies have shown that negative emotions are worse in both normal and depressed people in cold weather. Conversely, on warm, sunny days, depressive symptoms are reduced.
Therefore, for people living in cold regions, vitamin D should be properly supplemented and exposed to enough sunlight; Increase light during the winter months and engage in light outdoor activities. These are simple ways to effectively combat seasonal depression. Of course, if you have obvious depressive symptoms, you need to seek medical attention and professional treatment in time.
Improving immunity is key to preventing depression.
As the relationship between depression and the human herpes virus is established, improving immunity has become the key to preventing depression. Good immune function can effectively control the activation and reproduction of viruses in the body and reduce the risk of depressive episodes.
In order to improve immunity, you can start from many aspects:
First, adjust the dietary structure and eat more foods containing trace elements such as selenium and zinc, such as Brazil nuts, red dates, seafood, etc., which can enhance the body's immunity. At the same time, moderate consumption of yogurt and vegetables containing probiotics can also help.
Second, regular exercise and appropriate enhancement of exercise can improve the efficiency of lymphatic circulation and enhance the ability to resist viruses. However, the intensity of exercise should be controlled to avoid excessive fatigue.
Third, pay attention to rest, excessive fatigue will directly lead to a decrease in immunity. It is also important to get enough sleep and relax at the right time.
Fourth, keep your mood happy and reduce unnecessary stress in your life. Because stress and anxiety themselves can also reduce immune function.
Fifth, vaccinations should be carried out if necessary to increase immunity against viruses such as influenza and shingles.
Of course, if you have depressive symptoms, you also need to seek medical attention in time, because medication can also effectively control the virus and improve immunity. In summary, starting with lifestyle and behavioral habits to improve immunity is the key to preventing depression.
Counseling by a psychiatrist has limited effect on the treatment of depression.
For a long time, psychological counseling and treatment has been regarded as one of the important means of depression treatment. However, with the deepening of research on the pathogenesis of depression, more and more evidence shows that the effect of relying on psychological counseling to treat depression is very limited.
A number of studies have found that only 30%-40% of patients with depression who receive psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can meet the standard of recovery, which is significantly lower than the 50%-70% of drug efficacy. Even in combination with pharmacotherapy, the gain-effect of psychological interventions is very modest.
This is mainly because there is a clear biological basis for depression, such as abnormal changes in brain structure and neurotransmitters. Psychological counseling alone cannot correct these biological defects. In addition, many patients have a depressive episode and have difficulty concentrating and cognitive decline, making it difficult for them to benefit from psychotherapy.
Of course, this is not to say that psychotherapy is worthless. It is more suitable for long-term management of patients in remission and their emotional regulation. However, for patients with depressive episodes, drug therapy remains the first choice.
The future treatment model for depression should be the integration of biological treatment and psychological intervention. The best results can be achieved by combining medication to control the condition and psychotherapy to consolidate the efficacy. We also need to further investigate the precise indications for psychotherapy.
People with depression should not be misunderstood in society.
Due to the lack of awareness of depression, there are many misconceptions about people with depression in society, such as thinking that they are lazy, weak, antisocial, etc. This misconception can exacerbate the patient's condition and prevent them from receiving timely and effective treatment. Therefore, it should be our common responsibility to dispel society's misconceptions about depression.
First, depression is a serious brain disorder that has nothing to do with one's willpower or personality traits. People with depression need empathy, help, and appropriate treatment, not blame.
Second, depression severely affects the patient's attention, decision-making ability, and behavioral control. Their "perverse" behaviour stems from pathology and requires understanding and tolerance, not blame.
Third, depression can be controlled and improved to a great extent through medication and psychological intervention. People with depression are not incorrigible, and most recover.
Fourth, people with depression can also be good employees, parents, and members of society. With good support, they can also make a positive difference.
Fifth, it should be everyone's responsibility to care for and support people with depression and persuade them to actively treat them, rather than isolate or discriminate against them.
Only by eliminating prejudice can we give people with depression the respect and care they deserve, and help them get out of their illness and return to a sunny life. This is an important cornerstone for us to build an inclusive and warm society.
It is important to care for the people around you and pay attention to whether there are any symptoms of depression.
As the prevalence of depression continues to rise, it is important to care for those around you who may have the disease and pay attention to the early detection of depressive symptoms. This minimizes the time from onset to treatment and prevents the disease from getting worse.
First, pay more attention to the current situation of your family and friends, and always ask them about their mood and life. Caring is the cure for depression.
Second, pay attention to whether their emotional changes, such as depression, sadness, irritability, etc., begin to appear consistently. This can be a precursor to depression.
Third, observe whether there are changes in life behaviors, such as loss of interest, social avoidance, eating abnormalities, etc. These usually indicate a depressive state.
Fourth, urge them to pay attention to these changes and take the initiative to seek professional help. Timely counseling and medication can greatly improve the treatment effect.
Fifth, give support and encouragement to help you cope with the difficulties caused by the illness. This is essential for people with depression to regain confidence.
Sixth, during the rehabilitation process, accompany and communicate regularly to avoid patients feeling isolated. This reinforces the effectiveness of the treatment.
When illness strikes, we all need support. Let's join hands to protect every life around us and defeat the threat of depression.